Provinces prepare action plan for disaster preparedness and response

Khajura, June 1: A collective action plan has been formulated for the disaster preparedness and responses in Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces.     

The internal affairs and law ministries from these three provinces held a three-day discussion on disaster management, preparedness, risk reduction and information management in collaboration with an urban disaster preparedness project.     

The local levels, local police, administration, Nepal Army, Nepal Red Cross, non-government organizations and private sectors held group discussions on how they could work together for effective disaster management.     

Chief of the disaster section at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law in Lumbini Province, Manju Pokharel, said the action plan was formulated in collaboration so they would work in unison.     

Similarly, the information management officer at Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolis, Rupan Gyawali, said the action plan had incorporated the issues as risk reduction, information management, record keeping, rescue and search, health treatment, data collection on loss and damage, relief distribution, monitoring and evaluation etc.     

He further informed that the emergency preparedness and response plans prepared by the local levels would be amended and brought to use.     

Even the inter-province mock rescue exercises were discussed.     

Experts Shankar Koirala, Sunil San Shakya, and Krishna Kafle facilitated the programme on different topics.     

The programme was assisted by the European Union, UNDP, UNICEF, UN Women and Nepal Red Cross Society Banke Chapter. (RSS)